Rs 16 lakh In Cash Seized During Raids In Bargarh Ahead Of Odisha Elections

Bargarh: Police on Friday seized Rs 6,52,800 from two motorcyclists near Dhaba Chhaka under Jharabandha police limits in Odisha’s Bargarh.

The cash was confiscated from Mitrabhanu Sahu and Manoj Kumar Sahu, both natives of Jharbandha in Balangir, during raids to prevent illegal transportation of cash ahead of elections in the state.

According to police sources, the duo claimed that they were carrying the cash for their business purpose. They, however, cannot claim it before the elections even if they show proper evidence. “The cash will be submitted to authorities concerned and can be claimed only after elections,” a police officer told the media.

In another raid jointly conducted by Town police and flying squad on Thursday, cash worth Rs 10 lakh was recovered from a pick-up van near Haldipalli. “We have been conducting raids on a regular basis at several places, including Haldipalli. The driver said he was en route Sambalpur from Barpalli. He has been detained and interrogation is on,” another officer said.

As the region is adjacent to Chhattisgarh, police have been on alert to prevent illegal transportation of cash from the neighbouring state to Odisha to influence voters here.

Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, Nikunja Bhal had earlier informed that inducements valued at Rs 118.65 crore have been sized between March 1 and April 17. “The enforcement agencies have seized Rs 2.7 crore in cash, liquor valued at Rs 18.19 crore, drugs and narcotics worth Rs 43.69 crore, precious metals worth Rs 7.17 crore and freebies and other items worth 47.44 crore,” he told a presser on Thursday.